Survivor: Palau's Jennifer Lyon dies of cancer at 37

Jennifer Lyon, a contestant who finished in fourth place on Survivor: Palau, has died at the age of 37, sources report. She had been an outspoken advocate of breast cancer after being diagnosed at 33.

"Jenn died at home in Oregon at 11:19 p.m. on Jan. 19. She had been battling breast cancer for the last five plus years," Survivor: Vanautu and Survivor: Micronesia -- Fans vs. Favorites contestant Eliza Orlins told TV Guide. "She had beaten it into remission once, but then it came back and was in her bones."

Orlins added Lyon had recently opened a Christmas tree lot in L.A. that gave money to breast cancer research, and was actively involved in charity events.

"I was completely shocked and overwhelmed," Lyon told Us about the 2005 diagnosis (three months after the show wrapped) and her eventual decision to get a double mastectomy and chemotherapy. "I felt fine that day; in fact, I've been healthy my entire life."

Austin Carty, a Survivor: Panama -- Exile Island contestant had dated the former nanny in 2006: "Jen was a genuinely selfless, sweet-natured person," Carty told the mag. "She always had a smile. She cared about every person.”

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